Low Impact Senior Workouts & Equipment Options to Try

Low Impact Senior Workouts & Equipment Options to Try

Posted by We Sell Mats on

Exercise is a critical component of our mental and physical health at every stage of life. As we age, staying mobile can seem to be a more difficult task than it used to be. Whether it’s due to aches and pains, a fear of falling, or difficulty making time for exercise, it may be expected for older adults to forego physical activity. But in fact, a 2016 CDC report cited that physical activity increased significantly with increasing age and was significantly higher among women than among men.

The advantages of staying active with low-impact senior workouts can be seen in several areas, from decreased risk of life-threatening diseases and illnesses, immune response, mental wellbeing, and even down to daily mobility. Whether you are part of that population in need of improved physical activity, or you are a caretaker to a senior in need of low impact senior workouts, We Sell Mats™ has the insight (and supportive exercise equipment for seniors) you need to slowly ease into a low impact physical exercise routine for improved health and wellness.

Without further ado, here are five low-impact senior workout ideas to try, along with the exercise equipment for seniors designed to support them on their journey towards improved strength, health, and overall well-being.

Five Low Impact Senior Workouts To Try

1) Water Aerobics

Water aerobics is the ultimate multipurpose senior workout easily earning a spot on our list of must-try low impact activities. Not only are water aerobics fun and cooling on a hot day, but they are also one of the most gentle exercise options. Regardless of your size, swimming is forgiving on the body and can be enjoyed alone or with a community, depending on your preferences.

In addition to providing you with a heart-healthy cardio workout, moving through the water also introduces the muscles to light resistance training without the need for heavy weights. For this reason, it is often recommended for individuals with arthritis or those recovering from an injury. Even if it’s just walking in water, the benefits of water-aerobic training might just surprise you.

2) Yoga

Want to support your body while finding your zen? If so, yoga is a low-impact senior workout well worth your while. Boasting benefits of improved balance, flexibility, and strength, yoga is highly recommended by medical experts to improve back pain, arthritis, heart health, and sleep quality, not to mention reduce stress, promote feelings of wellbeing, and even increase energy. Another great benefit of yoga is that it can be done virtually anywhere, alone or in groups. All you need is a yoga mat and some H2O, and you’re good to go.

3) Walking

Number three on our list of low-impact senior workouts is walking, a simple movement that’s good for the body in many ways. Aside from improved mobility, walking is an excellent opportunity to get outside and soak in some bone-healthy vitamin D, breathe in the fresh air, and connect with nature. Walking is also a perfect low-impact senior workout that helps bones and muscles stay strong without putting too much pressure or strain on them.

If physical activity has been a stranger for some time, we recommend starting with small distances and building up as it becomes more manageable and mixing in other low-impact senior workout activities to reduce the opportunity for injury or strain. After walking, we recommend taking the time to stretch out the muscles on a yoga mat, foam flooring, or multi-purpose fitness mat. If walking is too much at first, we recommend starting with water aerobics like walking in water or loosening the muscles with yoga.

4) Resistance Band Training

Resistance training is an integral part of any exercise routine, and low-impact routines are no exception. For older adults, the benefits of resistance training can help reduce muscle loss and strength, in turn improving quality of life and independence. Often used in physical therapy exercise, resistance bands are one type of low-impact exercising equipment that effectively engages the muscles in a way cardio exercise alone cannot.

Resistance band training can be scaled down to accommodate newcomers and adjusted to provide a challenge as training progresses. Try resistance band training at home with an instructional video (YouTube has many free options) or as part of a class for an even more motivating community workout.

5) Biking/Cycling

Last but not least on our list of low-impact senior workouts: biking. Whether cruising around on a bicycle is one of your favorite pastimes or a stationary bike ride is a safer alternative, cycling and biking are fun and joint-friendly ways to get your body moving.

Stationary bikes come in a variety of user-friendly styles, from floor pedals that can be used while sitting in a chair to recumbent bikes and cycling machines that feel like you’re at the starting line of the Tour de France, there is no shortage of options available that will support you or your loved one in your journey to take back your health and wellness. Among the many benefits of biking include improved cardiovascular fitness, increased muscle strength and joint mobility, improved coordination, and reduced stress. For indoor bikes, we highly recommend protecting floors with a PVC equipment fitness mat.

Ready to Take Your Health Back? Shop We Sell Mats™ Exercise Equipment for Seniors Today

Getting back into the swing of exercise can be challenging, but with the right workouts and equipment on your side, finding your new, healthy groove can be made simpler, and yes, even fun.

No matter where you are on your fitness journey, We Sell Mats™ makes it simple to find fitness mats designed to give you the safety and support you need as you improve your health. Browse and shop today to find the perfect exercise equipment for senior workouts you or your loved one can utilize for improved health.

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